8-year-old went to an immigration check-in with a family member, then ICE allegedly refused to let him leave: ‘No reason for them to remove him’
A child has been separated from his family.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues its roundup of alleged illegal immigrants across the nation. This time, a young child who attended an immigration appointment with his uncle for a routine check-in in San Diego was taken away by ICE officers.
An 8-year-old Haitian boy, who had been living with his uncle and cousins after his father was deported to Mexico the previous year, reportedly received a letter requiring him to meet with an ICE agent, according to the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), per ABC News. The boy’s uncle accompanied him to the appointment on Thursday, Nov. 5, as they “did not want to break the law,” particularly since the boy had lost Temporary Protected Status (TPS) earlier this year.
Their visit, however, resulted in the boy being placed in federal custody, as an ICE spokesperson told the outlet that the uncle does not have legal guardianship of the third grader. Because of this, the boy was reportedly classified as an unaccompanied minor under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), which is designed to protect immigrant children who are unaccompanied and prevent trafficking.
ICE questioned on motive behind boy’s removal
Executive director of the nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance, Guerline Jozef, claimed ICE did not provide the uncle an opportunity to claim legal guardianship. On the other hand, Cody Petterson, an SDUSD board trustee, argued that the boy’s uncle had been listed as his authorized caregiver on school records since his father’s deportation.
ICE defended its decision, stating that taking custody of the boy was “out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the child’s safety.” They alleged that placing him in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), an agency that handles cases involving immigrants, was in his best interest.
Jozef believes that taking custody of the boy was simply an “excuse” for ICE to begin deportation proceedings instead: “He was dressed very well, and he is very well cared for. There’s absolutely no reason for them to remove him from the care of his relatives without putting proper procedures in place for him, especially knowing that ICE already deported the father.”
Democratic lawmakers have also voiced concern for the boy, who remains in ORR custody, and are demanding answers regarding his removal from his relatives. Six lawmakers have sent a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
“Video footage appears to show the use of restraints on a child who seemed to pose no threat to those around him, raising serious questions about the handling of this incident,” the letter said. “We emphasize that the safety and well-being of children and families in San Diego County must remain the highest priority. […] We also request confirmation on the child’s whereabouts, whether his family is aware of his location, and what steps your agencies are taking to ensure he can be reunited with them.”
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